Name our new blend!

During August, a young lady visiting her family here on Prince Edward Island approached me at the market tea bar. She described a tea she had in Europe some time ago and she has never been able to get it since.

"Would you be interested in trying to blend a tea that might taste like the one I loved when in Europe?" she asked.

"Of course I would," I replied, "but could you give me some idea of the contents? Was it a black tea, a green tea, and did any one flavour stand out?"

"I'll see what I can find out and let you know," she said.

I wondered if I would hear from her since it was vacation time, she had children with her and it was hot. But the memories of a favourite tea coaxed her to research a bit and I got an email with a description. Because I dabble a bit in blending my own blends which I call Lady Baker Signature Blends, I was up for the challenge but with no promises attached!

[caption id="attachment_1583" align="aligncenter" width="700"] A closeup shot of Lady Baker's new tea blend[/caption]

With apron on and hairnet applied , I started adding the dry ingredients to the bowl--just a small 50g batch for experimenting. The black tea was the base with added vanilla flavouring. The aroma was quite exquisite. Then the pretty ingredients followed. I added some strawberry green tea and additional dried PEI strawberries, a small amount of chunky and fine orange zest and equal amounts of rose and calendula petals. The rose petals do add to the flavour, but the calendula is simply for aesthetics. All together, I hoped to enhance the basic vanilla flavour with a touch of mystery for the distinguishing palate. Would this bring back the flavour memory she had?

I packaged it and let it sit for a couple of days before tasting. They say the flavours need to 'marry.' I brewed a pot of two cups and tried it on a quiet early morning all by myself.

[caption id="attachment_1584" align="aligncenter" width="700"] First cup of our new tea blend[/caption]

"Wow," I mused, "nice, if I do say so myself! But perhaps a slight bit more orange and strawberry could be added."

I made another 50g batch and waited. This time I found it to be an even more satisfying cup and shared tea time with my assistant and then another associate who gave me the thumbs up! It was ready to be tested by the only one who could truly tell me if it was anything like what she remembered. I actually could feel her excitement in her email a couple of days later.

[caption id="attachment_1585" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Enjoying a cup of our new blend in the fall garden![/caption]

"It's soooo good! It's even better! I love it! Thank you!"

She was about to leave for Alberta and wanted to take a good supply home with her. Can you imagine how happy that made me feel? We have to give this new blend a name, don't you think? I'd like to have it available as a signature blend.

[caption id="attachment_1586" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Our new signature blend![/caption]

This Saturday, Sept. 13, the Charlottetown Farmers' Market is having its first ever 'Customer Appreciation Day.' We will have ballots available for you to help us find a name for our new blend. You can taste it, look at it and feel it. The Tea Team will give the winner a free 50g bag of the blend and you will see your name on the new label from now on!

If you're too far away to enter in person, feel free to leave a suggestion in the comments section below or on our Facebook page! You'll just have to use your imagination for the taste! We will accept submissions until Wednesday September 17th at 9pm ADT. The winning name will be announced on Saturday, September 20th!